Six years after he last tasted success in the competition with Derry City, Dundalk's Paul Curran is getting used to life as one of the Carlsberg FAI Cup's underdogs ahead of tomorrow evening's visit by Bohemians to Oriel Park for a repeat of last year's first final.

Curran (36), who combines the captaincy with the assistant manager's role, watched the Dubliners beat BATE on Wednesday night and admits to having been highly impressed.

"The fact that they won might just be good for us, though, because in the back of their minds it will be hard for them not to be thinking about Rosenborg next week and that may just give us the opportunity we need."

The hosts will field much the same side that secured a much-needed victory over Athlone away last week but they must wait to see if Ciaran Kavanagh recovers sufficiently from a twisted ankle, sustained in training this week.

Bohemians boss Stephen Kenny is expected to rest several of Wednesday's starters and so Fergal Harkin, Dave Morrison and Jason McGuinness may all play.

Kilkenny City boss Tommy Lynch brings his young side to Pike Rovers' sportsgrounds this evening looking to avenge last week's 4-1 league defeat by Limerick.The visitors have a string of problems, though, with Brendan Kelly and Mick O'Byrne ineligible, Brendan Rea and Craig Maher unavailable and Anthony Tobin injured. His opposite number, Mike Kerley, is hoping the switch to Saturday evening will bring out the fans.

Longford, meanwhile, have doubts about Darragh Sheridan (ankle) and Alan Murphy (knee) for tomorrow's trip to Tolka Rovers. Rovers manager Ken Gibbons expects to have a full squad.